just john just john

Are you a points whore?

Are you a points whore?

The shameless attempts at promotion are rampant here at JU. I guess I am slightly guilty of that myself. Chances are if you are reading this you were only hoping to "bump" one of your friends in the ranks.

I am not sure why numbers become so important. I have been around the internet's ability to offer instant, free exchange of thoughts for a long time now. I was a hard core VP user. I was drawn in by the people, after all people are my favorite hobby. I like to observe, interact and even gamble on the predicted outcome of the everyday follies of my prey. Unfortunately, I am rarely wrong in my predictions of people. I watched VP turn from a great place to meet interesting people to a den of revenge, one upping and well... err... sex prowlers.

JU has less appeal to the sex prowlers because of the lack of immediate gratification. However, revenge seekers and those that have to be on top have settled quite nicely into this little community. Personality is rarely unique. You pick up you good habits and bad generally from the same sources ... parents, friends, and coworkers. That makes personalities almost cyclical. I guess what I'm saying is, if you spend enough time with an 90 year old man who speaks only to complain about his health, it is likely that when you are old you will repeat that pattern. Why? Because it is a comfortable pattern. I am sure you have all realized little glimpses of your parents in you.

I am not saying those things are bad, just interesting. The JU community jumps right on the bandwagon of one upping just as it happened in VP. The revenge, well that's a different story. That is what makes this forum fun. The election sparked some really great debates but it also sparked as many (or more) flame wars. The passion of ideas came bubbling to the surface. Now we are left with the occasional BOO! or HOORAY! for the war. I guess since there is nothing better to write about why not make a game out of the community.

I read a lot and write very few articles. I reply when I feel passionate about something or have some personal experience to share. I have been guilty of asking questions to illicit responses (most of which have gone ignored). I read most all of the top 20 bloggers on this site because once in a while, between the points whoring they write something that inspires me to examine my own ideas. I get most of those inspirations, however, from the lower ends of the ranks.

I'm not quite sure if this is a rant. It's not intended to be ... or ... I didn't intend it to be in the beginning. I just thought I might share my idea with you in hopes that you would be inspired to keep my hobby entertained with the beautiful little slices of life you share.

Since I don't want to adversely keep anyone’s name out of the top 20, please don't type a single word in each reply. Plus, that is driving the scroll wheel on my mouse crazy.
7,384 views 33 replies
Reply #26 Top

I haven't blatantly posted an article "for points" in over a year ( don't I get a chip or something for that )

Bing!  you get an insightful!

Reply #27 Top

Well we learned today that for the past couple of months that the point coutning system for the ists hasn't been making it past users who start with a C. So the top lists may look radically different tomorrow..

WooHoo!  Just john just got another cookie!

Seriously Brad, I know the feeling.  before I became a hardware geek, I was a programmer!

Reply #28 Top
22 by just john
Wednesday, May 04, 2005


would guess that for a few it is less a game and more of an affirmation; some sort of success in an otherwise empty life.

But, you could hardly call that person a ho.


I really hate doing this {really} but some of us are very ill and homebound and this is one of the few "outside" outlets we get. So maybe you might want to lighten up a tad.
Reply #30 Top
Interesting? I doubt it! Yours are gold so far. Inflamatory? nah, you could, but you dont seem to want to. Which is a credit to you.


Wow, thanks. I really don't consider anything in my pitiful little blog interesting, but I appreciate the cookie.
Reply #31 Top
I really hate doing this {really} but some of us are very ill and homebound and this is one of the few "outside" outlets we get. So maybe you might want to lighten up a tad.


I'm one of them myself, but didn't take offense. He could be right, some people could take the whole points thing a little more seriously than some of us do.

MM, I know it's a game for you and I find the whole thing pretty amusing, but some of these folks do get kinda serious about the competition thing for some perverse reason.
Reply #32 Top
31 by MasonM
Wednesday, May 04, 2005



MM, I know it's a game for you and I find the whole thing pretty amusing, but some of these folks do get kinda serious about the competition thing for some perverse reason.


ya shoulda seen me when I played "ball" heh... My idea of a good time was CRUSHING running backs and receivers, and quarterbacks, do not get me started. hahahaha I am um competative to say the least. still.
Reply #33 Top
MM, I hear ya.